Locations, guides, and all the important things to consider when planning a Mount Rainier National Park elopement & wedding
Mount Rainier is such an iconic beauty of Washington state. Located about 2 hours southeast of Seattle this is one of the best national parks in the Pacific Northwest! With endless trails and views, there is truly so much to love!
And for those who are wondering, yes, the 14,140-foot mountain is covered in snow year-round. So, if you are interested in some epic snow-capped landscape, you’re at the right place 🙂
We’ve provided some photos and basic guidance in our article Top 5 Best Places to Elope in Washington. Here you can find info about Mount Rainier as well as other epic locations in the state. We recommend reading that article since it covers basic info on weather and some legal aspects of an elopement.
This blog post, however, will focus more on helping you plan your Mount Rainier National Park elopement. And hey, take it from an elopement photographer whose house is literally at the base of Mt. Rainier – this is one elopement location you will want to have at the top of your list!
Important to Know: New Timed Entry Reservation Required for Mt. Rainier
Mt Rainier National Park now requires all visitors to book timed entry reservations during peak season. Per the park, “In recent years, it’s been too common for visitors to sit in idling cars for a couple of hours at the entrance stations and then make laps through the parking lots hoping for an empty parking space.”. “We are testing a system that will spread visitation out throughout the day and season to reduce crowding.”
This means that if your intimate wedding or elopement takes place between 7 am – 3 pm*, you will need a timed entry reservation. This reservation system only applies to the following dates:
- Paradise (via the Nisqually or Stevens Canyon entrance): May 24 through Sept 2
- Sunrise (via the White River Entrance): July 3 through Sept 2
*note, if we enter the park before 7 am or after 3 pm, we DO NOT need an entry permit.
Although the website indicates that a Special Use Permit can also be used to enter the park, we still recommend getting a timed entry permit anyway. This can help us avoid any complications that may arise.
The cost of a reservation is $2 per vehicle. The reservation will allow you to enter the park anytime during your chosen 2-hour window. There is no required departure time.
Reservations can be made by visiting recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Reservations are available up to three months in advance. Additional reservations are released every day throughout the summer for use the following day. We strongly recommend getting one in advance rather than waiting til the last minute.
For more information and a complete list of rules, visit the national park website.
Explore Some Of The Most Adventurous and Beautiful Mount Rainier National Park Weddings, Elopements, and Engagements
HOW TO ELOPE AT MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK IN 7 STEPS
1) Choose the best location that fits your vibes and visions
2) Book an elopement photographer you can connect with. Send us an inquiry for a FREE consultation
3) Plan everything you need to make your elopement at Mt. Rainier the best day ever
4) Apply for a Washington marriage license
5) Apply for an elopement permit to get married inside Mount Rainier National Park
6) Adventure around the location you picked, take in the beauty of Mt. Rainier and create memories, (and, of course, we’ll photograph the heck out of you guys!)
7) Eat the cake, pop the champagne, and celebrate your marriage! Yay!!!
Step 1: Choose The Best Location and The Best Time To Elope at Mount Rainier National Park
WHERE ARE THE BEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO ELOPE INSIDE THE PARK? AND HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO HIKE?
Mount Rainier has 4 entrances total. However, the 2 most popular ones are Sunrise and Nisqually. Both of these entrances will lead you to the Paradise Visitor Center.
- Nisqually (Southwest Entrance)
- Open year-round and closest to the Paradise Visitor Center.
- Carbon River (Northwest Entrance)
- Open year-round and provides access to the deepest and largest lake within the park, Mowich Lake.
- Sunrise (Northeast Entrance)
- The road to this entrance is closed from October – June due to snow. This entrance is closest to the Sunrise Visitor Center.
- Steven Canyon (Southeast Entrance)
- This entrance is closed from October – April. It is also the closest entrance to the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center.
Since Mount Rainier is such a huge park, it does offer us a lot of options in terms of hiking. It is also full of amazing views like alpine lakes, snow-capped mountains, dreamy fairytale forests, waterfalls, and more.
If hiking doesn’t fit your elopement vision, you don’t have to do it. You can still get incredible views when you stay in an A-Frame Cabin with gorgeous views of the river and mountains. Or, you can go on a short 0.5-mile hike from Sunrise Visitor Center to an open field of wildflowers.
Feeling a bit more adventurous? You can even do a 3 – 5 mile hike to one of the 7 Fire Lookouts for more of the “on top of the world” kinda feeling.
If you look on Google or Pinterest, you may see locations like Reflection Lake, Tipsoo Lake, and Paradise Inn. And yes, although these places are beautiful, they can also be quite crowded which can affect your experience.
Besides being your elopement photographers, we are also there to plan alongside you. We will assist you in finding and choosing a location that speaks to your heart. And, more than that, we will also provide recommendations based on our experience as Mt Rainier elopement photographers.
As your photographers, we focus on and value the experience you get. This is why the best locations are the ones we haven’t shared publicly. They are the ones that we’ve spent hours researching and scouting. And the ones we have made sure that we have permission to access.
Then, when we do visit, we also make sure to follow the Leave No Trace principles while we are there. This is all part of our services to you as your adventure elopement photographers. Contact us if you’re ready to inquire 🙂
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO ELOPE AT MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK?
The best time to elope at Mount Rainier National Park is July – September. During these months, all the entrances are open and ready for all kinds of visitors. Sometimes, we can still access the park in early October, but it all comes down to the weather conditions for that year.
The first time I (Henry) ever visited the park, I stumbled upon a trail that led to a Fire Lookout. This took place in early July and my mouth was on the floor the whole time seeing how beautiful this place was. From clear sky to blooming wildflowers, the summer months are hands down the best time to visit Mount Rainier.
With that being said, we want to be transparent when it comes to weather. Although there are typically more sunny days during the summer months, weather in the Pacific Northwest can be super unpredictable. You might experience sun, rain, and snow all within one day of your elopement.
When it comes to the rest of the months, late October – mid-June is a bit more limited in terms of where we can go. Oftentimes, there is snow on the trails or even on the roads up to the mountain.
That being said, the Nisqually entrance is open year-round. This part of the park takes you to Paradise Visitor Center which is the only open entrance during the winter months. During wintertime, this entrance is well-maintained with plow trucks running throughout the day.
So, you can still get married at Mt Rainier in the wintertime. We just have to plan on packing some extra gear to keep us warm and to keep us safe. But don’t worry, we’ll be there to help you through it all 🙂
Step 2: Find The Best Mount Rainier National Park Elopement Photographer and Book The One You Can Connect With
WHY US FOR ALL YOUR MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY NEEDS
We are huge believers in “there’s a photographer out there for everyone”. We don’t know how you ended up here reading all these words, but we know you are here for a reason.
Growing up, I (Henry) never thought one day I would become an elopement photographer. I went to school for nursing and started working as a Cardiac ICU Nurse before my heart found photography. Through my nursing career, my heart found a need for documenting memories from seeing how short life truly is.
When we grow old, photos remind us of how we once looked.
When times get tough, photos let us re-live those times when life was much easier and full of hopes and dreams.
When we lose our loved ones, photos are the only things that live on and allow us to immerse in the nostalgia and memories.
Photos are timeless. Photos are sacred.
This is why we don’t mess around when it comes to creating a safe space for our couples to express themselves. We want you to feel how you feel and to be who you are meant to be. This is how we can then capture your true authentic selves.
Besides the main focus of capturing memories and moments, we are also huge believers in “Leave No Trace”
WHAT IS “LEAVE NO TRACE” AND WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT IT?
As experts in adventure elopement photography, we care a whole lot about “Leave No Trace”. LNT is where we go on adventures for photos, but we also make sure to leave things the way they are. By doing our part to preserve the beauty of nature, we help make sure it lasts for others to enjoy for many years. Here are some things we do and expect our couples to do (not limited to):
- Stay on trails
- Not climbing over fences, roped-off areas, or places with visible signs of “Do Not Trespass”
- No meadow stomping
- No confetti inside the National Park (it doesn’t matter if they are bio-degradable or not). Each National Park has their own living organisms, plants, animals, etc. By leaving things behind, we can harm these living organisms. Bio-degradable confetti takes a while to degrade and might need rain or water to speed up that process. In the meantime, other animals might still be able to ingest them. If you are thinking about confetti, we can do so at your cabin (if allowed)
Step 3: Transportation, Accommodation, Pets, and EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW to Elope at Mount Rainier National Park
WHERE ARE THE BEST PLACES TO STAY FOR YOUR MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT?
As mentioned previously, with the 4 entrances you can see how massive Mount Rainier is. Depending on how adventurous you want your day to be, you can choose to stay inside the park or outside.
For inside the park, you can stay at:
- National Park Inn: Located in Longmire, this inn is around half an hour from Paradise
- Paradise Inn: This is right at the very top of the mountain.
- For more adventurous vibes, you can also stay at one of the campgrounds inside the park. Some of these campgrounds include: Cougar Rock Campground, Ohanapecosh Campground, White River Campground, Mowich Lake Campground
For outside the park, you can stay at:
- Wellspring Spa, Storm King Cabins, A-Frame Cabins, etc…
- These places are more flexible since you can pick a cabin based on what they offer, capacity, and amenities.
- Since you’re staying outside the National Park, you also have fewer restrictions on what you can do with your wedding. For example, you can hire caterers for an intimate reception dinner with a beautiful view like this one.
- Visit Rainier has an awesome list of places you can check out. And as always, Airbnb is also a good resource.
CAN WE INVITE GUESTS? HOW MANY PEOPLE SHOULD WE HAVE AT OUR MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT?
We’ve photographed elopements with just the couple, and we’ve also photographed elopements with family members and friends.
There are no rules when it comes to having your wedding day how you want and that includes the guest list. Invite who you want and leave out who you don’t want. And, remember it isn’t selfish to want to elope with just the two of you! It is 1000% ok!
If you want to read more on this topic, check out our blog post on 6 Things To Consider Before Eloping.
WE HAVE A DOG OR TWO, CAN WE BRING OUR PETS ALONG TO OUR MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT?
If you are thinking about bringing your pets to Mount Rainier, here is some basic info you need to know:
- Pets must be on a leash at all times. Leashes need to be 6 feet or less in length
- Pets must be with you at all times. No tying them to trees
- Pets are not allowed on trails within the Park
- For a full list of rules with pets, see the official statement from the park itself
Looking at the list of rules above, you might feel discouraged about eloping at Mount Rainier. However, we understand how important it is to include your pets on your elopement day.
Therefore, when it comes to including pets at your Mt Rainier elopement, our number one recommendation is to hike a trail outside the park. There are many trails that will allow you to bring your fur baby and still get iconic views of Mount Rainier.
From 2-mile round-trip hikes to 5 or 7-mile hikes, we have compiled a list of places we can’t wait to share with you once we start the planning stage.
Step 4: Marriage License and Legality in Washington State
HOW TO APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE IN WASHINGTON
Since Mount Rainier is within Washington State, you will need a marriage license to get married here. Per state law, you will need to apply for a marriage license at least 3 days before your elopement date. Please keep in mind that you can only apply for a license within 60 days of your elopement date.
If you are from Washington, you can visit any local office to get one. This also applies to anyone traveling and arriving at least 3 days before your elopement date.
If you are from out of state and you don’t have enough time to arrive early and wait, the BEST WAY IS TO APPLY ONLINE AND HAVE IT MAILED TO YOU. For more information on your marriage license, CLICK HERE.
HOW MANY WITNESSES DO WE NEED? WHAT ABOUT AN OFFICIANT?
You will need an officiant and 2 witnesses in order to make your Mt Rainier elopement legal. If you have family and/or friends who can be there for you, that’s amazing.
If not, that’s ok too. Oftentimes, we are one of the witnesses for our couples. We also have a list of options for the second witness if needed and can recommend a list of officiants for you as well.
Step 5: Apply For A Wedding Permit for Your Mount Rainier National Park Elopement
As mentioned in Step 1 and Step 3, you can choose to get married inside Mount Rainier National Park or at a beautiful location near the park. The exact location you choose will determine whether you need to apply for a national park wedding permit or not.
If you are thinking about eloping inside the park, you will need to pay 2 fees:
1) Entrance Fee: You can choose to pay for a one-time visit pass, or you can use your America The Beautiful Pass to enter the park
2) Permit Fee: For ceremonies inside Mount Rainier National Park
- For intimate elopements, there are fewer restrictions on where your ceremony can be.
- For weddings with 60 guests or more, we will be limited to using campground amphitheaters as ceremony sites
- Once you have some of the details of your ceremony ironed out you can fill out the Application Form on the park’s website. You will also need to submit a $60 non-refundable application fee online. Note, that this fee might change over time
Step 6: Everything Else To Prepare For Your Mount Rainier National Park Elopement
We know that when you seek an adventure elopement, you seek an experience. An elopement does not mean the day is “less than” a traditional wedding. Therefore, we decided to dedicate a whole page to our site with multiple blog posts and resources on elopements.
- Why eloping?
- How can we make this day unique and special?
- What else should we think about?
- If we don’t invite loved ones, what are some things we can do to involve them from afar?
These are just some of the many questions we know you might have. We want to reassure you that you don’t have to plan your elopement alone. We will be there from day 1 to prepare you and plan with you for a day that none of us will ever forget. It all starts TRUST & INTENTIONALITY.
Thanks for reading and we hope you consider us as your Mount Rainier National Park Elopement Photographers. You can read more About Us, Pricing, Elopement Packages, and Everything we are about. If you are ready, please head over to our Contact Page to send an inquiry.
Mount Rainier National Park Elopement Packages
– Explore anywhere within Mount Rainier National Park
– Coverage from 4 hours to Full Day
– A personalized elopement experience with unlimited guides and resources. Click here to see everything that is included
– All your breath-taking photos in a secure & private online gallery
– Travel fees included
Starting at $6,900
(Ranges between $6,900 – $13,200)
Ready to elope? Need our help in finding the most perfect location for you? Need more clarification on how to elope in Mount Rainier National Park?
Meet Your Intimate Wedding & Elopement Photographers
We’re Henry, Sergio, and Nick, the faces behind these honest, meaningful, and artful photographs of couples eloping in the most beautiful places. Since 2018, we’ve photographed more than 200+ intimate weddings and elopements all over the world and on 6 different continents. Our work has been published on Junebug Weddings, Green Wedding Shoes, Brides, Dancing With Her, etc…We’ve won international awards for best wedding photos but what’s most important to us is actually winning our clients’ hearts with our art.
With 15 years of combined photography experience, we’ve learned that the only way to a beautiful wedding experience & photos is through intentionality.
We’re here for you and with you from “let’s do this” to “I do”, one step at a time, each step of the way. We’re in this together
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